This report has been commissioned by the Corpora-tion for Education Network Initiatives in California(CENIC). CENIC is a not-for-profit corporationthat serves the networking needs of all of California’seducational entities, from K–12 to the researchuniversities.The State of California has awarded a grant toCENIC to focus on speeding one-gigabit broadbandto all Californians by 2010, or, in California short-hand, One Gigabit or Bust

™

. CENIC engagedGartner to evaluate the economic potential of anacceleration of next generation broadband deploy-ment in California. In addition, Gartner was asked tointerview many of the top broadband thinkers, policymakers and consumer advocates within Californiaand throughout the United States with a view towardunderstanding the opportunities and challenges anext generation broadband initiative in Californiamight face.The specific objectives of this report are to:•Estimate the economic benefit to the state•Scope the project in terms of what needsto be done•Outline the important items to be consideredin strategy formalization•Identify the next steps to be undertaken

For More Information

Tom West, CENIC562-346-2280

•

twest@cenic.org

•

www.cenic.orgMark E. Gilbert, Gartner Consulting818-710-5928

•

Fx: 818-710-1467Mark.E.Gilbert@gartner.com

To request additional copies of this report, send email to editor@cenic.org.

ONEGIGABITORBUST

™

INITIATIVE

:

ABROADBANDVISIONFORCALIFORNIA

Table of Contents

A Call To Action........................................................................................................................1A.Executive Summary................................................................................................................2B.Introduction..............................................................................................................................4

Developing a Clear Vision on How to Drive Ubiquity..........................................................................24Dichotomy of Interests........................................................................................................................25Other Obstacles..................................................................................................................................28Mythological Obstacles........................................................................................................................32

F.Broadband Leadership and Organizational Roles

—

A Recommendation..........................36

The Search for Next Generation Broadband Leadership........................................................................36Role of Policy Makers/Legislators........................................................................................................37Role of Municipalities..........................................................................................................................38Role of Education................................................................................................................................40Role of Industry..................................................................................................................................40

National Telecommunications Policy at a Stalemate..............................................................................42Is There a Role for the CPUC?............................................................................................................43

H.Who Pays

—

A Recommendation..........................................................................................45I.Next Steps..............................................................................................................................46

California Has a Choice

—

Lead, Follow or Get Out of the Way............................................................47